Mary Goes to Mirkwood

~ Mary Goes to Mirkwood ~

Chapter 26/36

Authored by: MA, MA, Malinorne, and Sheraiah

Warning: NC17 Adult sexual situations/nudity/oral sex/naughty riding lessons

Disclaimer: We are just playing with Tolkien's characters for fun, not profit, and do not claim to have created any of them. Thaladir, the king's seneschal, is our own creation.

Summary: Mal is persuaded to get back on her horse, Mary gets cabin fever, Sheraiah gets busy with an elf prince. The king has some news to share, if any one will listen!


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal ~

Though the king thawed me up quite efficiently after my riding accident, and I didn't suffer any physical harm, it took me quite a while to feel comfortable on horse-back again. I realised there was no way of backing out after he suggested the first time that I ought to see how Gwilwileth was faring, but I managed to stave off the visit to the stables for another day.

I had hoped he would help me himself, but he preferred to leave the task to his trusted seneschal, whom he declared was an excellent instructor and very competent in that particular area. As in every other, I guessed. I had difficulty imagining anything Thaladir wouldn't do with utter perfection. Except being silly, or laughing.

When I came to the stables, I was asked to go inside to wait while my horse was being prepared. I looked around the small tack room that smelt of clean leather. There were very few items in there, as could be expected since the elves didn't use much in the way of riding gear. I recognized Mary's saddle, and some harnesses for the sleigh, various brushes, curry combs, and other implements for the care of the horses.

"There are no riding crops?" I asked Thaladir when he entered, for the day dressed up in travel clothes similar to the ones I was wearing. It suited him well to get out of his robes. But I don't know what made me ask such a stupid question. Of course there wouldn't be.

"My lady, there is no need for such implements," he replied in a serious voice. "Should the voice prove to be insufficient guidance, a well-placed smack to the appropriate area with an open hand will provide all the encouragement necessary." He looked me straight into the eyes when saying this, and it made me blush. Just like he had intended, of that I am sure.

"And is this kind of... encouragement often needed?" If he wanted to be impudent, I could be too!

"That depends entirely on the steed," he said with a meaningful glance. "Most are gentle and would not take well to such treatment, while others, on occasion, crave it."

That was it. I stuck my tongue out at him, very briefly, and left before he could continue. I was here to try to overcome my fear of riding, not to talk. And his insinuating words had more effect on me than I wanted to show. I went all the way up to the main gates and waited there.

I was sure something had been overlooked when I saw Thaladir coming with my horse. The king had joined me outside the gates, no doubt to make sure I would really get up on Gwilwileth, but after greeting his seneschal he stood to the side, smirking. I approached Thaladir and the mare, which wore neither reins nor a saddle.

"Your Excellency," I said tentatively, "I don't think I can stay on that horse for five minutes without falling off if there's nothing to hold onto."

"My lady," he replied with a formal, stiff little bow. "His Majesty has entrusted me with the care for your person, a task which I do not take lightly." He seemed more than a little offended, and it made me feel guilty, despite what had passed between us earlier.

"That is not what I meant," I replied, "but I don't really think this is a good idea." I cast a quick glance at the king, who was still smirking. His eyes narrowed slightly, and I knew I would get no help from him. I sighed and turned back to the seneschal, who looked somewhat softer now when his authority wasn't questioned.

"I assure you that my assistance will lead to the required results." Without further ado, he put his hands around my waist and lifted me onto Gwilwileth's back. My gentle mare stood like a statue, and it made me feel a little better. Then Thaladir leapt up behind, to sit with his arms around me, and it made me feel a lot better. I almost wasn't afraid at all when the horse began to move, slowly and carefully walking towards the forest road.

It felt odd to sit bareback on the horse, and it was hard to balance without the stirrups, but the warmth from her body had a calming effect. I held my thighs tight to her sides and discovered that I could sit like that, though I still needed to hold a hard grip in her mane. I was still anxious.

Thaladir said nothing, and as far as I could see, he didn't do anything at all to make Gwilwileth go in the desired direction. He kept his arms around my waist, but after a while his hands began to travel, ever so slightly. Inch by inch, up and up, until his thumb brushed the underside of my breast. I was so surprised I forgot to be afraid for a moment. I did not mind his touching me, not at all, but here... in a public place?

"How does my lady fare?" he enquired in his usual dry voice.

"Fine," I said.

"Then the instruction will proceed." He had barely finished talking when the horse set off in a quick trot that made me shake up and down. It wasn't comfortable at all, and I was sure I'd fall off. Suddenly, the seneschal's hand was holding my breast, covering it completely. He whispered soothingly in my ear and his hot breath made it very difficult to think about the horse. As did his long fingers.

His other hand trailed lower, down between my thighs, which was obviously a good technique as it made me press my legs hard to the horse's sides. "Thaladir!" I panted when he touched a very sensitive spot, "not here!"

"His Majesty's forest is most suitable for all varieties of physical activity," came the answer. He sounded as if he were reading from an official scroll. "The fair surroundings and the flawless air stimulate the senses and…" He droned on, but his hands weren't still for a moment. One thumb was teasing a nipple, and at least two fingers brushed over a normally hidden area that was very accessible in this position. I don't know what I would have done if I could have let go of Gwilwileth's mane; swatted the hand away, or pressed it harder to myself. As it was, it was sweet torture.

I couldn't resist it for long, but soon found myself encouraging him. "Faster, my lady?" he asked, and when I only nodded, his caresses became more fervent, at the same time as the mare changed her pace to a flowing gallop. The soft rocking movement of the horse enhanced the feeling of Thaladir's hands on my body and I couldn't get enough of it. Then I finally leant back against his chest and took hold of his legs. He wasn't going to let me fall, and I didn't care anyway.

When we came back to the courtyard, the king was waiting for us. Thaladir lowered me into his arms and he steadied me. I felt exhausted and more than a little hot. "Well," Thranduil said, "are you still afraid of riding?"

"No," I replied. To be honest, I hadn't thought much about the horse, but I was fairly sure I was cured from my anxiety.

"Good. My seneschal is indeed an excellent teacher." He turned to Thaladir, who was still on horseback. "Mae carnen, seron nín." [Well done, my trusted one.] I looked up at the seneschal, and saw him straightening his back at hearing his master's praise. Then, with a proud "Cuion an le buiad," [I live to serve thee] and a formal bow, he set off towards the forest again, at a speed that seemed ill fitted with his outer calmness.

The king and I entered his halls, and I thought a bath would be nice, but Thranduil had other plans. With a wolfish grin, he steered us towards his study.

"Not that desk, please!" I protested. My backside was quite sore from being unused to bareback riding and the thought of it touching such a hard surface wasn't too pleasant.

"Do not worry," he replied with a familiar glitter in his eyes. "You will not be required to sit on it."

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Sheraiah ~

I awoke, pleasure pulling me slowly from sleep's embrace. Deft archer's fingers stroked, teasing my nipples as warm lips and a slick tongue worked their way down the skin of my torso. Opening my eyes, I could see the first, faint traces of dawn creeping through the trees outside my window. Then my sight was obscured by the fairest of elven faces, crowned with loose and tousled golden hair.

"Good morning, my lovely lady," Legolas said, a sensuous grin gracing his beautiful face. "Shall we see how many times I can make you scream my name?" Lust flared and pooled between my thighs. I reached up, grabbing two handfuls of his hair and pulled his mouth down onto mine, kissing him hungrily.

"No," I replied, breathless from the kiss, "You're going to be too busy screaming mine." He laughed, a bit breathless himself and moved to cover my body with his own.

"We shall see," he retorted, parting my legs with his thighs and delving his fingers into the moist core of me. I shuddered, his skill almost overwhelming me, but managed to retain enough control to wrap my fingers around his shaft and slide slowly up and down, enough to tease but not enough to bring him to completion.

I felt him shudder and his fingers falter and I flicked my thumbnail very lightly across the slit in the head of his arousal. He sucked in a deep breath and locked eyes with me, pinning me with the fierceness of the need in his gaze. "Rai," he hissed, chest heaving.

"What was that? I didn't quite hear you," I teased, eyes wide in feigned innocence. I repeated the caress and he swallowed hard, his eyes almost black with want.

"Sheraiah," he moaned, his hips bucking against my fingers. I grinned, determined to hold onto the upper hand for as long as I could.

"Pardon? I still couldn't quite hear you." I flicked my thumb again.

"Sheraiah!" he fairly shouted, thrusting hard with his hips, his face burrowing into my neck and his breath coming in quick pants. "Do not tease me so!"

"Oh, you like that, do you? What else would you like?" I relented; having gained an infrequent victory over him I was reluctant to tempt fate any further. He suckerd ord on my collarbone, leaving a mark there for certain.

"I would very much like your tongue to do what that naughty thumb of yours has been doing," he gasped, his breathing still ragged. I hesitated, biting my lip. As yet, I had not pleasured him with my mouth. That was something I had no experience with. I must have tensed a bit, because his head came up and he met my eyes again. "It was but a thought, Rai. It is not necessary." That decided me.

"I asked, Legolas, because I wanted an honest answer." I pushed on his shoulders, asking him wordlessly to roll onto his back. He complied, watching me steadily. I grinned at him, my earlier hesitation gone. This was Legolas, who had proven to me countless times that he could be trusted. His head dropped onto the pillow as I took him in my hand.

I contemplated him as I slid my hand up and down him. He was beautiful here, too. I leaned in, swiping my tongue over the tip. He shuddered, a low moan escaping him. Out of the corner of my eye I saw his hand fist into the sheets. Teasingly, I flicked my tongue back and forth over the slit, exactly as I had done with my thumbnail and the moans became louder and mingled with disjointed Sindarin. I was reveling in the feeling of power his reactions were giving me and decided to take it a bit further.

"Ai!" he cried as I engulfed him in my mouth. My right hand slipped between his thighs, as I suckled, to caress his orbs.

I was hearing an almost steady stream of Sindarin now, increasing in volume in proportion to how I chose to caress him. The taste was not unpleasant at all, which came as something of a surprise, and I warmed even more to my activity, swirling my tongue over him in between sucks. From the way he was reacting, I wondered if elven females did this differently. Later, I reminded myself. There would be time later for pondering. Right now, he sounded like he was getting very close.

"Stop!" he cried breathlessly. He pulled me up and reversed our positions, driving into me almost as soon as my back touched the bed. He groaned, his eyelids fluttering as he struggled to regain a bit of control. The Sindarin began again as he started to move, filling my ears as the pleasure overtook my other senses. We both reached the edge quickly and fell together.

"You are a very talented, very wicked woman and I am extremely glad that I share a bed with you," Legolas stated as we recovered our senses and our breath.

"I think you bring it out in me, you horny elf," I retorted, running a hand down his back. He chuckled and I felt his breathing get regular and his body relax. Glancing down, I was shocked and more than a little proud of myself to see that he had drifted into sleep.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

"Look who has come to spy on us, Mal" I said while pointing to the doorway. Helca's cute little kitten came bouncing in to the concubine's room with us; its tail was pointed up but curled at veryvery tip like a fluffy question mark. It sat on the floor and, as finicky as an elf about being clean and pretty, began washing its paws.

"That little thing always spooks me," said Mal. She was sitting in one of her chairs while pulling on her boots. The sun was out, we were going for a ride together and I could not wait to get going. We had been stuck inside for days as the Mirkwood winter wound itself down outdoors with a series of rain showers. "I still don't understand what possessed me to give her that cat," she muttered.

"Oh, that's easy," I explained. "It's that impulsive human nature we have that makes us so attractive to elves." It was something Glorfindel had told me. Mal hated it when I brought him up because she wanted to meet him and did not think she would ever have the chance. But today she just sighed and agreed with me.

"Helca must be standing right outside the door," I added in a loud whisper. From the corridor there came a soft hiss and, without eveockiocking, the icy-eyed elleth entered the room. She looked around on the floor, ignoring both of us, and seemed shocked to see her kitten.

"Oh, there you are, you little rascal!" she cried while trying to grab the suddenly playful creature. It bounded out the door and Helca glided off swiftly behind it. I had to cover my mouth to keep from laug out out loud. We could always tell when she was snooping around.

"Let's get out of here while we can, Mal."

"Yes," she replied. "The sooner we do, the better we'll feel, I think."

I had been excited about getting a chance to tell her some of the juicy bits of gossip I had heard from Miriel. I knew better than to talk to her when someone like Helca might be listening in, so I had patiently bided my time. The rainy weather had kept us indoors for nearly a week, and I could not find any time to be alone with her within the halls of Mirkwood.

If Anarion or Ithilwen were not hovering over her it was only because the king's seneschal was there instead. She looked fine to me, but apparently her disappearance had traumatized the normally placid household. Keeping track of mortals, when Thranduil was not there to do it for them, proved a little trickier than they had suspected.

And the king had departed for Esgaroth shortly after the event of Mal's disappearance, to attend to some business there, as well as to pay a visit to the court of Lord Bard II, in Dale. He was taking only a small army of elves as escort, and leaving Thaladir behind to both pester me, or at least that is what it felt like, and keep an eye on his errant concubine. It had not helped my frame of mind that he had refused to take me along with him and not leave me stranded in his kingdom.

In fact he had laughed at the idea of me riding along on horse back at top speed with his troop of seasoned, veteran elves. I had to agree whim him that it was a silly idea, and not fair for Mal to be left behind, even though I felt she would mind it a lot less than I would have.

She and I clung to each other in both awe and despair the morning Thranduil rode off on Amarth with his escort. He looked dashing with his winter cloak draped over his darkest green tunic and leggings, while being surrounded by all his wood-elves on horseback who obviously adore him as much as his concubine and I do. But to see him ride away knowing he would be going farther than just the usual hunting trip was difficult to bear. Not long after the king left, it started to rain.

It was the dreariest time I have spent in Mirkwood. I actually managed to learn some Elvish, I was so bored. Thranduil's whole realm seemed to suffer from his absence.

But, even though the weather had finally allowed Mal and me out at last, our ride through the forest became a series of damp, dull, and repetitious sights as the rapidly melting snow revealed the left-over detritus from the previous autumn, dead leaves, dried moss, and bits of broken branches. All of it uniformly brown and slimy as their winter blanket gave way under the recent rains.

But worse that that, the seneschal rode with us; he did not trust any of the other elves to escort such unpredictable mortals, which meant I had to keep my mouth shut. At least about some of the juicier tidbits I had learned from the forthcoming Miriel.

Not only was he along to escort us, but both of Thranduil's door sentries were relieved of their guard duty, while His Majesty was out of Mirkwood, and were riding behind us. They were the only elves that Thaladir trusted to help him keep track of flighty mortals.

"Way to go, Mal," I muttered, and then apologized immediately because I could tell she was suffering just as much as I with the need to talk alone together. There had been many times in the last few days when either one or the other of us had started to speak, and then stopped ourselves because of other ears in the room. And it was not her fault that her horse had thrown her. I was feeling cranky, I explained, because I missed Thranduil. I figured that would make Thaladir happy to hear.

Not only because of the misery he knew I was feeling, but the reason behind it must demonstrate that I have my priorities in the right place. The seneschal probably missed the king more than either Mal and I ever could. As long as I kept Thaladir's overwhelming love for our king in mind, his presence was tolerable.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal ~

It took over a week until I got the chance to try sitting on a horse again. The heavens seemed to weep at the king's departure, and they took a long time to stop. I could understand them. I had once experienced Mirkwood deprived of its ruler, and I had no wish to do it again, but it was inevitable. Thranduil didn't want any company on this trip other than that of his troops, and it annoyed Mary to no end. It seemed somewhat unfair to me too, as she hadn't got the chance to see Esgaroth yet, but I was glad to have her staying with me.

Both Anarion and Ithilwen devoted themselves to me with a puppy-like eagerness that was touching, but annoying. It was nice to be looked after, and I figured they were trying hard to regain the seneschal's trust after having lost me the other week, but after some days it became unbearable. Thaladir wasn't any better. He had taken to spending most of the day in the throne room, or the study, and insisted that I should remain within his sight at all times, except when the other two elves were with me.

The study wasn't too bad. Some more books had been brought there, and it was interesting to read, but even more interesting was listening in on Mary's attempts at learning Sindarin. She drove the poor seneschal to the limit of his patience on more than one occasion, but in the end she managed to produce acceptable versions of both "Le suilannon" [I greet you] and "Navaer" [Farewell].

Now I just waited for her to demand Thaladir to teach her something outrageous, like "Merin dared vi haust lín an-uir, aran nín vara," [I wish to remain in your bed forever, my fiery king] or "Matho i thraw urui nín," [Touch my hot flesh] or why not "Mabo nin bo talaf norn"? [Take me on the hard floor]! I hoped he wouldn't, because the thought of her saying such things to Thranduil in his own language made me a little sick. Though it would be fun to see Thaladir's reaction if she did ask him to teach her that.

It seemed like Mary and I could never be alone to talk. When we finally found ourselves alone in my room, Helca and her devilish kitten came along. Or rather, the kitten snuck in, looking all furry and cute and innocent. It wasn't a very effective spy, as the icy elleth was never far away. And of course she was there, outside the door.

When she left, we didn't feel like talking anymore, not in there. It was better to get outside in the sunshine, even if there would be a sharp-eared escort on ridiriding trip. At least Helca wouldn't be in it.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Sheraiah ~

"Rai, after the Spring Festival we will travel to my home," Legolas said as we lounged in the large bathtub in my bathing room. I merely nodded in answer. It was impossible to speak while he was massaging my shoulders; his fingers were just too talented. "I would like to ask Gimli to come with us. It would be more convenient for him and would give us more time to spend in each other's company. Does that meet with your approval?" I nodded again. "Good, it is settled then." His hands moved away and I stifled my disappointment.

"It's settled that you're going to ask him, not that he will agree to it," I reminded him, a wry grin appearing on my face at the thought of Gimli riding an eagle. Evidently the same thought occurred to him and he laughed.

"Oh, leave Gimli to me. I have not known him as long as I have without learning how to manage him when needed." He kissed my shoulder. "The water is getting cold." I allowed him to pull me to my feet and assist me from the tub. He wrapped a warm towel around me before drying himself off.

We had completely missed breakfast, nibbling instead on what Duiniel had left in my room. If we lingered much longer, we would also miss the mid day meal. It seemed Legolas was not inclined to do that, however, and we dressed and braided each other's hair before exiting my room and heading to the dining hall.

Our appearance met with knowing smiles and seemingly innocent inquiries as to our health, the twins and Gimli being particularly wicked about it. To my surprise, Legolas was blushing every bit as hard as I was. After a few minutes, he began to threaten to skewer anyone who dared to tease us further and the subject was changed.

He broached the subject of Gimli journeying with us during the meal and proved that he did indeed know how to manage the stubborn dwarf by deftly manipulating him into agreeing to accompany us. I held my peace, not wanting to destroy Legolas' achievement and because I was, in truth, wanting to spend more time with him as well. I saw the twins exchange a look with each other, but was given no time to ponder it further when Legolas began to discuss the Spring Festival.

"I think we should all keep in mind that Rai has never attended a Spring Festival before," he said to the twins.

"Well, duh, Legolas!" Elrohir commented, winking at me as he borrowed one of my favorite expressions. I burst out laughing at the prince's expression, as did Gimli who had no doubt heard me use that expression before, and Haldir who had been around mortal females enough to have heard it as well. Legolas shot the offending twin an annoyed look, even as Elladan snorted and clapped his twin on the shoulder.

"Peace, princeling. We all know that it's Rai's first Festival. We will make it memorable, will we not?" He grinned wickedly at Legolas, who shoved him playfully.

"So long as you behave appropriately with her, lordling," the prince retorted, never missing a beat.

"Why, Legolas! How in Arda could you ever suggest that we would be anything but proper with our Sweetling?" Elladan was the picture of innocence and I began to cough, inserting the word 'bullshit' mid-cough and timing it perfectly so that Elrohir had just taken a mouthful of his wine.

The wine came out Elrohir's nose and Gimli, Elladan, and Legolas nearly fell out of their chairs laughing. Haldir's face was red with suppressed laughter, but he managed to stay upright and pound Elrohir on the back. The commotion attracted Lord Elrond's attention and he made his way over to where we were sitting. I thought in that moment that I was in deep doo doo, but the guys covered for me, Legolas gallantly taking the blame.

"I cannot believe that such a delicate lady has such a vocabulary," Haldir remarked after we all had escaped from the dining hall.

"He don'ow mow me very well, do he?" I quipped to the twins, who had seen enough of Cartoon Network at my house to get the reference. They began to laugh again, much to the puzzlement of the rest of our group.

"Suffering Succotash!" Elladan exclaimed, in a better than passable imitation of Sylvester the cat, complete with flying saliva, which did it for me and I leaned heavily on Legolas, helplessly laughing. The twins slid down opposite walls to sit on the floor, as helpless in their mirth as I was.

"You have all lost your minds and I'm going to get back to my jewelry making before it spreads any farther," Gimli declared, suiting words to action and beating a rapid retreat.

"An excellent idea," Haldir remarked, also making tracks as far away as he could get. Legolas merely regarded all three of us with upraised eyebrows.

"I do not think I wish an explanation," he stated.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

As we rode along, stifled, Mal spoke rapidly to the seneschal in Sindarin. I actually understood some of the words, like 'please' and 'thank you', well, actually, only 'please' and 'thank you'. The rest was mostly just a bunch of gibberish. I thought I caught a word here or there, but she talked too fast for me to follow. However, whatever she said, it worked. Thaladir responded to her and then, miraculously, he trotted a little way ahead of us, keeping a careful eye out for possible attackers, and left us to talk alone.

"I am sure he can still hear us even that far away, Mal," I said. "But, I don't care. I have to tell you something, you are going to love it." I chuckled to myself in anticipation.

"This better not be about…," she began.

"Don't worry!" I stopped her with one palm up. "This has nothing to do with Thranduil and, well, you know, any of that." I dropped my voice lower, even though I was sure Thaladir could hear a raven flapping its wings from a mile away, so it was probably useless. "Okay? Don't worry. This is about…something else."

I figured that if the seneschal was listening to us, it would be better to start out with something safe, and maybe he would soon tune us out like any other typical male.

Accordingly, I started out telling Mal about how Miriel and Ithilwen were orphaned by the Battle of the Last Alliance, a sad story that I knew she would love and one which Thaladir could hardly object to me repeating. I told her how both of their fathers had perished in that famous battle, while valiantly defending the king. Afterward, Thranduil had brought the ellith into his household, assuming guardianship over them, and raised them as his own daughters.

Mal found it hard to believe that anyone raised in a royal house would consent to be a chambermaid. I explained that they both considered their service to the king to be more a pleasure than a duty. We were not work for them; we were fun, according to Miriel.

"We're kind of like toys for them to play with, living dolls, you know?" Mal did not look happy to hear herself described as a doll but she had to begrudgingly admit, after she thought back over the way Ithilwen had behaved towards her ever since her first day in Mirkwood, that what I was saying made sense. It did not bother me to be pampered like a spoiled pet. I liked it.

We chit-chatted away about how well taken care of we were for a while until I was pretty sure Thaladir was ready to push hot pokers into his ears to prevent himself from having to hear me say one more stupid thing. He actually trotted a little further away from us when I started commenting on a different shampoo that Miriel had tried on me the night before and how amazing my hair felt afterwards. And how fragrant it smelled. And how shiny it was.

Mal saw right through me, having never before heard me mention my hair until that very minute, but managed to keep a straight face as she murmured some banal replies. I refused to look her straight in the eye anyway.

"Guess what Miriel told me about a certain long-haired elleth who shall remain nameless?" I asked in the same tone of voice as the one I had used in discussing my favorite Elvish bathing products.

"Oh, probably that she is Thranduil's other lover," she quietly replied with a wistful sigh. "I already knew that, it's no surprise." She smirked at me but then dropped her head. Oh, was she in for a big surprise.

"No, Mal," I tried to keep my voice conversational. "Far from it, really. In fact, it's about as far from that as you can get." She perked up a little but I could tell she was skeptical.

"Let me start from the beginning," I continued. "I promise you are going to love this." I carefully reported the whole story, which had started with me finding out from Miriel that the name 'Helca' meant 'icy one' or 'cold one' in Elvish. A fact I had found startling at first. I had asked how her parents could have known she would grow up to be like that. How could they possible tell when she was just born?

"No, that is not right," interrupted Mal. "She would never be referred to by her birth name."

"Oh? So you have heard this?" I asked. "Do you already know how she got her name?"

"No, I meant that elves usually have more than one name in their lifetime," she said, and then added. "I thought everyone knew that." I would have felt insulted except she was right, I should have known that. But some of us are not lucky enough to carry encyclopedias around in our head. Although I have to admit it is nice knowing someone who does. "So go ahead. How did she get her name?" she asked.

"The king gave it to her." I snickered. "Do you want to know why?"

"As if you wouldn't tell me even if I said no?"

"Well," I said, stretching it out, "it turns out that the ice-maiden did not consider either you or me to be a threat the night of that dance, at least not as far as Thranduil was concerned. It was Renk she was worried about. It turns out she only likes men, and I mean in bed, too, can you believe it? She can't stand elves, Mal, isn't that crazy? And…oh my gosh, you should see the look on your face!"

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal ~

It was a lovely day to be in the forest, one of those late winter days when the sun is shining and one almost doesn't wish for spring. Gwilwileth was showing herself from her best side, merrily trotting along between Cinnamon and the seneschal's steed. After the bareback ride Thaladir had taken me on, sitting on a saddle was both comfortable and safe. Everything was perfect, except I really wanted to be alone with Mary, if only for a little while.

She had the look of a hamster with its cheek pockets filled to the limit, not literally of course, but she seemed to know something she couldn't wait to tell me. I hoped it would be something good this time, good enough to make it worthwhile risking the seneschal's disapproval. I doubted he would take well to being sent away, if only for a short while.

He squinted suspiciously when I suggested he should go ahead before us, a rather perfect image of the king. "My lady, I see no reason to acknowledge such a request. The pace you are currently travelling in is perfectly suitable for my needs." I never was a good liar and ought to have left that part to Mary.

I changed tactics and promised, in Sindarin, so she wouldn't understand, to give him something, if only he would leave the two of us alone for a little while. "Vi sam haid," [In private] I added to avoid any discussion of the propriety of gift giving in public places of the realm. At that, he nodded and trotted ahead, staying within sight, and no doubt within earshot. Not an ideal situation, but there was always the chance that what Mary had to say would be so shocking that he would pretend he hadn't heard it.

She had quite a lot to tell, things that she had heard from Miriel, who wasn't really a servant at all, but rather some kind of foster-daughter to Thranduil. It sounded odd at first, but fit in well with what I'd heard from Anarion about that battle and how Thaladir ended up in the king's service. It would also explain why so many of the Elven-king's subjects appeared to adore him, and the tale made me love him even more. If only he would come back soon!

Mary's clever. She babbled for a long time about shampoos and soap and the wonders they do for one's hair and skin, and the poor seneschal slowly stretched the distance between us. He might still have heard, but I was quite sure he had long stopped listening.

The other thing she said was harder to believe. Helca is an odd person, that much had been obvious from the start, but to hear that she was actually attracted to my least favourite man in Middle-earth, and had been jealous when he pawed me during that awful dinner, left me snapping for air. The mere thought of that fat, slimy wine-merchant and his disgusting eating habits and leering grin gave me the creeps! Yuck!

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

"Renk!" Mal spat out in disgust. "No." She shook her head, clearly not willing to believe another word I had to say. "No one, not even someone with as many bad intentions as Helca, would stoop so low. He is, he is," she groped for an appropriate term, "he is more than disgusting, he is despicable."

"That's just the point, Mal," I explained. "He is the opposite of everything an elf is, think about it. It's kind of like the same way that you and I are drawn to elves because of how different they are from humans. So perfect and clean, cultured and elegant, mannerly and pleasant to be near. Think about the king. How different is Renk from Thranduil? Let me count the ways…"

"You don't have to," she replied with a wince of disgust. "I think I get the picture."

"Yeah," I said, "but do you remember the smell?" She made a face at the mention of that fat wine-merchant's sickening odor the night of the dance.

"Ish," she said. We imagined out loud what would possess Helca to spurn an elf, any elf, but especially one of the many lovely Mirkwood elves, for a character as obnoxious and ignorant as Renk. It was stupefying.

Our horses both began to grow restless and nicker nervously. In the distance we could hear a low rumbling sound, like thunder. Thaladir came trotting back to wave us to the side of the road. My heart began to beat in anticipation as I realized we were hearing horses headed our way, from Esgaroth. It must be the king's party. The road lay straight before us and we could see the riders coming toward us, tiny in the distance. The Mirkwood banners soon confirmed their identity from afar.

And then there he was, the king, riding at the head of his troop of elves, like a ray of sun bursting through dark clouds. All thoughts of Helca were driven from my head as he came to a halt in front of us. Amarth snorted and reared up on his hind legs to show his displeasure at stopping so suddenly. But Thranduil looked as if he expected us to be there, waiting for him. It was hard not to jump out of my saddle and into his arms when he approached us.

After parking his horse between Mal and me, he spoke to Thaladir for a few moments, not even bothering to look at him as he did so. He seemed more interested in both of us. He was turning over command of his little troop to the seneschal and would ride escort with us for the rest of his journey home. I wished all elves spoke in such an uncomplicated fashion. His short commands were easy to understand.

He ordered Thaladir to take most of his riders ahead to Mirkwood and then a couple more were sent to ride off into the forest on either side of the road. The king stayed between Mal and me but his stallion was eager to charge ahead towards home, and Thranduil had to speak to him softly more than once to make him stand still calmly while he greeted us and graced us with his dazzling smile. We did not have to tell him how good it was to see him, but we did anyway.

He arranged himself so that he could reach out to touch both of us after he gave his orders to Thaladir, who hurried along ahead of us towards the halls. The king placed one large hand on my thigh and the other on Mal's. I could feel the heat from his fis ths through my buckskin leggings. I wished it was not too cold outside for us to jump off of our horses and give him a proper homecoming right there in his forest. Too soon he released me from his warm grasp and turned his horse to lead us home.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal ~

All thoughts of the despicable Renk were gone in an instant when Thranduil's party of riders suddenly came charging along the road, with the king in the lead. He made his great black stallion halt right in front of us, and his eyes shone with delight. Thaladir was sent back to the halls with the main part of the troops, and the king took his place between Mary and me. As we walked along, he altered between majestically surveying his realm and turning his head from side to side to behold his adoring mortals.

He had information for us, from the court of the Lord of the Long Lake, but I didn't hear much of it. I saw Mary nudging her horse closer to the king's, with a sly look on her face, so I did the same. Gwilwileth didn't seem to mind at all, and the king just chuckled when my knee came into contact with his. I turned to look at him, but froze in mid-motion. Mary had quite cheekily placed her hand on his other knee, and she was looking straight at me, daring me to compete.

I stared back at her defiantly and reached out to touch the king's thigh. She moved her hand slightly higher and kind of snaked it in under his tunic. The minx! I wished Thaladir had been there so he could have given her a lecture on proper manners! But he was already far ahead, so I just smiled sweetly at her and moved my hand too. Higher. Further. I could feel the heat from the king's loins through his tight leggings, like a warm tingling in my hand, and all along where our legs were touching. Oh, and in another place too.

I peeked at Mary again. She seemed to have reached her arm's limit and was glaring at me. Her little game wasn't so fun anymore, it seemed. Ha! Sometimes it paid off to be the tallest in class. With a triumphant grin, I demonstratively began to caress as much as I could reach of the king. This wasn't really that much, as his sword was in the way, but still.

Then Thranduil burst out in a hearty laugh, and he reached out to grab both of us. "It pleases me that you are happy to see me, and I appreciate eagerness," he said, "but still yourselves for a short while more. I do not wish to cause my seneschal further distress by delaying my arrival. Have patience, my dears. You shall have what you desire."

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

Now that the king was with us as we headed back toward his halls, I felt utterly content. I have to admit that as we rode along, I paid very little attention to the surroundings as I watched him travel in his domain. Nothing else interested me.

Thranduil never looked wilder, truly feral, as when he surveyed his territory with his eyes narrowed and chin held high. His golden hair glistened in the afternoon sunlight that traveled unhindered through the leafless trees lining the road on either side. One would never suspect he had just ridden many wearying miles to get to us; he looked as if he was ready to ride a few more. At least I was hoping so.

"I am pleased to see my mortal subjects out and about in my forest on this fine day," he said at last. "I have some important news to relate to you, from the court of the good Lord Bard. I am glad to see both of you together." Mal and I cast quick glances at each other, but otherwise remained silent unless he changed his mind. It was so rare for him to volunteer information of any sort.

Thranduil briefly reported that Lord Bard, son of Brand, grand-son of Bard the Bowman, and a valuable ally to Mirkwood, was both curious and concerned over reports he had received involving mortal females being held captive within the halls of Mirkwood. Although he had actually only heard about one of us, the king's new concubine, because he was under the impression that the other one had managed to escape the clutches of the evil Elvenking.

Actually, after a few moments, I paid little attention to what Thranduil was saying as I gently guided Cinnamon closer and closer to Amarth. I managed to finally draw close enough to the king to nudge his knee with my own. He reached down and patted my leg but continued on with something about Bard's generous offer to host a wedding feast at his mansion for Master Darek's daughter, in the spring. The Lord of the Long Lake region insisted that we all attend.

What ever it was the king was going on and on about seemed far away in the murky future while his presence near me seemed much more significant. I put my hand on his great buck-skin clad knee and leaned forward to see if Mal noticed. She did. I could see her hand was slowly traveling up over his thigh.

Soon I was practically sitting on Thranduil's lap as I leaned into him to touch him as intimately as she could. Darn Mal and her long arms. I was in danger of slipping off of Cinnamon if not for the king occasionally putting out his hand to steady me.

I briefly considered deliberately falling off my horse so he would have to break free from his concubine to save me, but I decided against it. He would know what I was trying to do and might even let me fall flat on my face in the mud just to teach me a lesson in proper deportment while riding with royalty.

The king did, however, gave up trying to inform us about whatever that old busy-body sounding Bard was worried about away off in Esgaroth and told us he would bring it up again, over breakfast the next day. He certainly noticed that we were not in the mood to discuss Lords, or weddings, or Master Darek's daughter, or anything else that did not involve touching, or being touched by, him. The great gate loomed ahead. It was still daylight outdoors but I hoped we would all be going straight to bed.

I am pretty sure Mal was hoping tame ame thing I was. And I was not against sharing. Our antics had slowed us all down considerably so I sat back straight in my saddle and trotted along, happy to be alive again, and eager to return to the torch-lit halls of Mirkwood.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Sheraiah ~

Legolas and I had a lot of fun helping everyone prepare for the upcoming Spring Festival. The way it was shaping up, it was going to be better than the Winter Festival by a long shot. For one thing, I could guarantee a lot of attention, as it would be warm enough to wear my corsets again. One would think that elven males had never seen breasts before I got to Rivendell. I was looking forward to seeing my horny elf prince squirm waiting to get me alone.

Legolas and I had a tentative plan to go riding, now that the snow had melted and the spring flowers were beginning to show themselves, he wanted to take me to a clearing he was fond of. I was certain that showing me the flowers wasn't all that he had in mind, which was an added incentive for me to agree to go. A roll in the first blooms of spring with the beautiful prince, who could resist? Certainly not me and I so I made my way through the halls toward his rooms.

I raised my hand to knock on his door, when the sound of raised voices speaking in Sindarin stopped me. Legolas was one of them, of course, but it sounded as if he was arguing with the twins. Well, perhaps not arguing, but the discussion seemed to be a very tense conversation. I knew I should move on, I couldn't understand what they were saying anyway, but I was concerned.

Quietly, I slipped back to my own room. Legolas could come find me when he was finished talking to Elladan and Elrohir. If I needed to know what they were talking about, one of them would tell me. I just hoped it wasn't serious and it wasn't about me.

t b c


Feedback: Not required but always appreciated: thaladir@yahoo.com